Skopje, 30 January 2024 (MIA) - At a ceremony on Tuesday, President Stevo Pendarovski awarded  Medals of Merit to six foreign Macedonian studies scholars - Zuzanna Topolińska, Zlatko Kramarić, Jouko Lindstedt, and posthumously to Jerzy Rusek, Krzysztof Wrocławski and Dalibor Brozović.

"I would like to thank these six deserving foreign Macedonian studies scholars. Foreign, but they are also ours, because anyone who dedicates their life to studying and promoting the Macedonian linguistic wealth and homeland is not considered a foreigner, but one of us," President Pendarovski said and added that Slavists have always considered the Macedonian language a personal and scientific challenge.

Pendarovski said that Topolińska has been one of the biggest champions of the Macedonian language in Poland. He called her "the first lady of Macedonian studies" who has been living and working in the country for almost 40 years, has acquired Macedonian citizenship and became a member at the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts (MANU), where for several years she managed the Research Center for Areal Linguistics "Bozhidar Vidoeski."

"’I am Macedonian' she told me yesterday during our conversation. Although she is Polish, she considers herself a Macedonian, as she became one by de facto naturalization. She has spent almost half of her life here and continues the tradition of great linguists like Bozhidar Vidoeski and Blazhe Koneski," said Academic Katica Kjulavkova who accepted the award in her name.

Finish Slavist and Professor at the University of Helsinki, Jouko Lindstedt, the most prominent Macedonian studies scholar among all Scandinavian countries, discovered the Konikovo, Gospel dating back to the end of 18th and beginning of the 19th century in 2003, at the Church library of Alexandria of Egypt.

"It was a pure coincidence that Finish scientists in Alexandria discovered the Konikovo Gospel, where I got the opportunity to do research and field work with my Macedonian colleagues, and is one of my most cherished memories of my career as a Slavist," Lindstedt noted, thanking for the high achievement.

Zlatko Kramarić, an expert of Macedonian literature in Croatia and the first professor of Macedonian language and culture at the Faculty of Philology in Skopje, was also presented with the Metal of Merit.

"I want to thank everyone who, in these dark and not so simple times, recognized in my work a small and huge contribution to the Macedonian cause. Dear President, with this award you have reminded me that my mission is not complete and that there is cause to continue working on Macedonian topics and dilemmas," Kramarić stressed.

The head of state said that all Macedonian studies scholars share the fate of the language, and that it is not only their scientific, but also a personal challenge.

"There is almost no Macedonian studies scholar, especially from the older generation, who has not experienced hostile pressure from centers that deny the Macedonian language and identity. One of the best examples is one of the founders of Macedonian studies in Croatia, Dalibor Brozović, who has greatly contributed to the study of the Macedonian language and dialects. As an author to numerous papers, he fought for the Macedonian language and cause at many international scientific conferences, opposing the unscientific Bulgarian thesis denying the Macedonian language, people and culture," emphasized Pendarovski.

The second example, he pointed out, is Polish Macedonian and Bulgarian studies scholar and professor at the Institute of Slavic Studies in Krakow, Jerzy Rusek, contributed to the protection and preservation of Macedonian studies, despite outside pressures, and became a pioneer in comparative linguistics for the Bulgarian and Macedonian languages. Polish Ambassador Krzysztof Grzelczyk received the medal in his name, adding that he was honored to be participating in an event celebrating Macedonian language and that Poland also recognizes and promotes the language.

Another Polish Macedonian studies scholar was awarded posthumously - Professor at the University of Warsaw Krzysztof Wrocławski. President Pendarovski said that the most defining moment was his field research in Peshtani where he collected almost 130 folk songs.

"Faced with the richness of Macedonian folklore, Professor Wrocławski fell in love with Macedonia so much that he dedicated himself to studying Macedonian folklore and became the most prominent foreign researcher and promoters of our folklore," Pendarovski stated.

He added that science requires one to courageously oppose unprincipled and unscientific pressures.

"I am convinced that these Medals of Merit could also be considered Medals of Bravery. Macedonian studies scholars are aided by the fact that the place and importance of the Macedonian language and dialects has never been questioned by the science community," Pendarosvki said. ssh/ik/

Photo: MIA

Video: President's Office